Missouri's marijuana microbusiness applications open Thursday. See if you're eligible

The Department of Health and Senior Services will begin accepting marijuana microbusiness licenses on Thursday.

The application window for the first round of microbusiness licenses is July 27 through Aug. 10. In October, the first 48 microbusiness licenses will be distributed — six in each of the state's eight congressional districts — based on a random lottery system.

Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution, which legalizes recreational, adult-use marijuana in the state, established the marijuana microbusiness program to benefit small business owners.

Nine months after the first 48 licenses are distributed, another round of 48 will be. Then, in another nine months, a third round of 48 licenses will be distributed. By April 2025, 144 microbusiness licenses will be awarded in total.

Of the six microbusiness licenses distributed in each district, two will be microbusiness dispensaries and four will be microbusiness wholesale facilities.

Microbusiness dispensary license holders may process, package, deliver and sell marijuana to other microbusiness facilities and consumers. Microbusiness wholesale facility license holders may grow up to 250 flowering plants and then process, manufacturer and transport the products. Microbusinesses can only do business with other microbusinesses.

Who is eligible for a microbusiness license?

A microbusiness license applicant must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Has a net worth less than $250,000 and an income below 250% of the federal poverty level;

• Has a valid service-connected disability card issued by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs;

• Is someone who has been, or whose parent or guardian has been arrested, prosecuted or convicted of a non-violent marijuana offense;

• Resides in a ZIP code or census tract where 30% or more of the population lives below the federal poverty level, the unemployment rate is 50% higher than the state average or the historic rate of incarceration for marijuana-related offenses is 50% higher than the state average; or

• Graduated from an unaccredited school district or lived in a ZIP code with an unaccredited school.

Marijuana microbusiness applications, for both dispensaries and wholesale facilities, cost $1,500. If not selected by the lottery, the application fee will be returned beginning 31 days after the date of denial.

More: Marijuana microbusinesses: What are they and how do they work?

Once 48 applicants have been chosen by the lottery, the DHSS will review each application to ensure it meets the necessary criteria. Chosen applicants will be notified by email and have 48 hours to confirm their acceptance. In the case an application is denied or an applicant does not accept an awarded license, the next eligible applicant in the respective congressional district will be selected.

Application tutorial webinar available Thursday evening

The DHSS is hosting microbusiness application tutorial webinars on Thursday at 6 p.m. and Monday, Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. for those who have questions about the process. Registration is available online at health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/outreach-education.php. The webinars will only cover application-related questions, not eligibility requirements.

Marijuana microbusiness resources, including an application user guide, example forms and an application checklist are available on the DHSS website at health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/application-resources.php.

More: Marijuana microbusiness license applications open this week. Are you eligible?

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri marijuana microbusiness applications open this week